PewDiePie may be virtually unknown among mainstream auds — but his YouTube channel has more subscribers than those run by celebs including Rihanna, Justin Bieber, One Direction and TaylorSwift.

The PewDiePie channel has garnered more than 2.2 billion video views to date. Earlier this year, the Swede teamed up with multichannel network company Maker Studios. PewDiePie and his channel are featured as a cornerstone member of the Polaris network (previously called “The Game Station”).

“When I started my YouTube channel in 2010, I never imagined that one day it would be the most subscribed channel in the world and that I would be a part of such a great community,” Kjellberg said in a statement.

Kjellberg plays games and records his commentary and reactions, specializing in horror and action genres. He’s known for his shrieks of fear and joy, appealing to a global audience he calls “The Bros.” The PewDiePie channel also features montages that weave together the best bits from other vids:

According to Maker Studios, PewDiePie — pronounced “pew-dee-pie” — will celebrate his No. 1 slot with a slate of upcoming videos. “I’m just a guy from Sweden who likes to laugh and make other people laugh,” Kjellberg says in the description section of his YouTube channel.

In addition to his own content, Kjellberg has created videos with girlfriend Marzia Bisognin (a.k.a CutiePieMarzia), who also is a Maker Studios partner and part of fashion and beauty network The Platform.

PewDiePie “is a great example of how a YouTube content creator can amass a worldwide following due to passion and creativity, and his large subscriber base showcases the loyalty and strong connection he has to his ‘bros,’” said Ben Donovan, co-founder and prexy of Maker Studios.

The fact that this mediocrity has risen to the top of Youtube severely depresses me. People of today have nothing better to due than watch a money grubbing no talent play video games, and make the occasional poor rape joke. Smosh was bad enough, but at least they put some effort into their videos. I usually don’t like to use memes in these situations, but this one just fits the context so well; “I don’t want to live on this planet anymore.” -Professor Farnsworth

I’m not looking for an argument here, but PewDiePie is not money grubbing. He raises money for charity very often. He used to make rape jokes, but realized it was wrong, so he apologized to his bros and stopped doing that. We don’t just watch Pewds all day, we’re not lazy low lives like everyone thinks we are. Again, I am not looking for an argument, but PewDiePie is not at all how you claim he is.

I’m so glad to read it! I was waiting for this moment so long! I subbed Pewds at 700,000, I remember celebrating 1,000,000 – and every next one – and was soooo proud : D Anyway, congratulations Bro! I’m waiting for your visit in Poland and hope it’ll come one day, brofist ; )